The “Vincenzo Buono” choir of the “Anna Baldino” comprehensive institute of Barano d’Ischia won the first overall prize in the third edition of the “International Soloist & Chamber Music Competition”, organized by the “Note sul mare” association in collaboration with the municipality of Lacco Ameno. The objective of the competition is to “enhance young talents, promote a passion for classical music in its many forms and thus encourage the new generations to study it and listen consciously and enthusiastically. This is a competition open to young Italian and foreign musicians, dedicated to all solo instruments, chamber music, choral and orchestral ensembles. It should be underlined that unlike other schools, the Barano comprehensive does not have a musical focus, but despite this music has always been particularly cultivated, especially by the maestro and music teacher Vincenzo Buono, who passed away prematurely and to whom the choir is dedicated. The students, encouraged by the entire teaching staff of the institute and supported by their families who have always encouraged them to continue, were trained over the months through two-hour meetings a week. Determination, as well as commitment, skill and perseverance have led to the achievement of this recognition. The performances – kaleidoscopic in genre (from the Carmina Burana classics of “Ofortuna” to Queen’s classic rock of the Medley) and instruments (the boys’ conscious use of body percussion to the music of Game of Thrones is peculiar and singular) – allowed us to reveal the versatility of the students present within the choir: singers capable of performing with ease and confidence after a short course of study and training. Professor Lorella Conte explained to us how the idea of establishing the choir was born. “The stable choir ‘Vincenzo Buono’ which is made up of 55 members including pupils from the fifth grades of primary school and the three classes of lower secondary school – stated Professor Conte to Gennaro Savio
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-, was born in September 2023 from the common purpose of the director Dr. Valeria Scotto di Fasano and the music teachers: prof. Michelangelo Ferrandino and professors Tuta Irace and Giustina Taliercio, as well as myself. The project, wanted and strongly supported by the entire teaching staff, is implemented with the resources of the comprehensive institute, which from this year has a chair for musical enhancement”. Professor Giustina Taliercio, however, told us about the emotions felt by the teachers during their children’s performance which culminated in the final victory. “With great surprise – said Prof. Taliercio – we managed to win the first overall prize. Our students truly moved us. They were exceptional and demonstrated determination, a desire to be together and to do well. They moved everyone: us teachers, all those present and the jury itself.”
